Relationship between MUW Mission, Guiding Principles and Assessment of Student Learning

Student Learning Outcomes Assessment is one of many tools used at MUW to improve student learning and promote a high quality teaching and learning environment.

The American Association for Higher Education Bulletin has defined assessment as “an on-going process aimed at understanding and improving student learning. It involves making our expectations explicit and public; setting appropriate criteria and high standards for learning quality; systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well performance matches those expectations and standards; and using the resulting information to document, explain, and improve performance. When it is embedded effectively within larger institutional systems, assessment can help us focus our collective attention, examine our assumptions, and create a shared academic culture dedicated to assuring and improving the quality of higher education.”

Thus, at MUW, assessment is used to improve student learning and provide the teaching faculty and staff with qualitative and quantitative evidence of effectiveness. Assessment data guides faculty in making decisions concerning pedagogy and changes in strategies that supports our mission of providing an high quality learning experience. The following information illustrates the close relationship between Assessment and the MUW Mission and Guiding Principles.

Assumptions Guiding for MUW's Assessment Initiatives:

MUW utilizes a Strategic Planning process which is decision-focused, information based, ongoing, structured, and participatory. Strategic Planning is designed to produce fundamental decisions and coordinate actions to guide the institution with a focus on the future. Academic assessment at the program level provides a structured process to measure progress toward the acquisition of the following elements of the Strategic Plan:

Assumptions Guiding Assessment

Student Learning Outcomes Assessment at MUW is based upon the following assumptions:

·       Assessment is on-going and conducted on a regular basis.

·        Assessment is most effective when it is conducted on the program level. Assessment is a decentralized process that is used to guide practices affecting student learning and student success.

·        Assessment of student learning outcomes is an academic issue and, as such, it most effective when faculty are involved throughout the process.

·       Assessment results are a means to improve student learning; it is not an end in itself

·       Assessment   should be ongoing and institutionalized and become part of the accepted culture of the college.

·       Assessment will not be used for any personnel, student, nor faculty evaluation.

MUW Mission:

A Carnegie Master’s II public institution, Mississippi University for Women provides high-quality undergraduate and graduate education for women and men in a variety of liberal arts and professional programs, while maintaining its historic commitment to academic and leadership development for women. MUW provides education in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education and Human Sciences, College of Nursing and Speech Language Pathology, and the Culinary Arts Institute, utilizing small classes and emphasizing a personalized learning environment. The graduates of MUW are prepared for competitive careers and excellent graduate and professional schools. MUW provides educational opportunities throughout Mississippi and the United States while addressing the unique educational and public service needs of northeast Mississippi and adjoining counties in northwest Alabama.

MUW Guiding Principles that Relate Directly to Student Outcomes Assessment:

MUW provides high-quality instructional programs that emphasize teaching and learning. With faculty and staff of the highest caliber, MUW is dedicated to providing a campus environment that encourages lifelong learning, strong career preparation, and personal growth. Graduates are expected to have skills in communication, technology, and critical thinking, as well as an awareness of self, gender-related issues, cultural diversity, and responsible citizenship.

MUW is student oriented.  MUW provides small classes and emphasizes personalized student attention, so that each student will have the opportunity to succeed. MUW offers a student-life program that stimulates learning and leadership development.

MUW values research, scholarship, and creativity.  While MUW is primarily a teaching institution, the university supports research, scholarship, and creativity to enhance the professional development of faculty and staff in order to better prepare students.

 MUW endorses sound organizational principles and is committed to operational efficiency, collaborative strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, and creative problem solving.